SMEATON, Nancy Ellen 1814 - 1904

SMEATON, CRYSDALE, DRYSDALE, SHOULTZ, DEVINISH, SHOULTS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/2/2011 at 14:47:46

"The Fairfield Weekly Journal"
Wednesday, May 4, 1904
Page 4, Column 3

Obituary.
From Monday's Daily.

The death of Mrs. Nancy E. SMEATON removed one of the oldest residents of Fairfield from the sphere of earthly activity. She was born near Belfast county Down, Ireland March 15, 1814, her maiden name being Nancy Ellen CRYSDALE (sic - DRYSDALE, per a desdendant). She died April 29, 1904, aged 90 years, 1 month and 14 days. The deceased came to this country with her parents when she was 11 years; she settled with them in New Albany, Indiana, and there grew up to womanhood. In 1832 she was married to Christopher SHOULTZ. Four children were born to them, of whom three survive: George W. SHOULTZ of Fairfield; Mrs. Martha E. DEVINISH of Eureka, Cal.; and Thomas W. SHOULTZ of Shenandoah, Iowa; Mrs. Mary C. STRAW, the other daughter, who resided in Indiana, has gone before to the other world. In 1841, her husband, Mr. SHOULTZ, died. In 1862, having been married again to the late Peter SMEATON, she came with her husband to Iowa and settled on a farm five and one-half miles north of the city. His health failing, Mr. SMEATON sold his farm in 1876 and moved to Fairfield, where he died two years laer. Mrs. SMEATON has lived here since that time.

Besides her three children she leaves six grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. SMEATON was brought up in the Presbyterian faith and was a member of their communion for about 70 years. Until extreme old age brought its attendant ills to body and mind she was a faithful attendant at the services of the chapel, and was a constant reader of the Bible. While her friends and relatives grieve at the departure, they know that she has well filled up the full measure of our earthly span, and has been gathered home in peace.

"Fold our dear old mother's hands
Across her lifeless breast
Gently close her sightless eyes,
And lay her down to rest."

The funeral services were held at her late residence this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. Alexander Corkey officiating. Her son, Thomas W. SHOULTZ, arrived Friday night to attend the last sad rites. Her daughter, Mrs. Martha E. DEVINISH of Eureka, Cal., has been in Fairfield for some years past, taking care of her mother, watching over her devotedly until the last. The other son, George W. SHOULTZ, resides here so that all children attended the funeral.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Ledger"
May 4, 1904
Page 6, Column 5

Death of an Aged Woman.

Mrs. Nancy E. SMEATON died in this city Friday morning at the advanced age of ninety years. She was born in County Down, Ireland, March 15th, 1814, and came to this country when a girl of eleven years with her parents. She grew to womanhood at New Albany, Ind., and was married there, in 1832, to Christopher SHOULTS. Four children came from this union, three of whom are living -- George W. SHOULTS of this city, Mrs. Martha E. DEVINISH of Eureka, Cal., and Thomas D. SHOULTS of Shenandoah. The husband died in Indiana in 1841. A year later she was married to Peter SMEATON, and came to this county with him in 1862. They lived on a farm north of Fairfield until 1876 when they removed to this city, where Mr. SMEATON died two years later. Mrs. SMEATON had been a member of the Presbyterian church for almost seventy years. Her life was consistent with its teachings. She was held in high esteem in the community in this county where she had lived so many years. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, and were conducted by Rev. Alex. Corkey. All the children were present at the funeral, Mrs. DEVINISH having been in constant attendance upon her mother for several years.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.